Rep Power: 0

Quick version: Replaced my head gasket and timing belt and sparked my alternator without unplugging the battery and the clip smoked and now the dash wont light at all when I turn the key, battery is charged.

Longer version: Ok so me and my buddy replaced the head gasket in the 04 Civic Ex my Sister-in-law owns a month and a half ago. Turns out nothing was wrong with it like I told her.. So I messed up the TDC on the timing belt in the process and recently replaced it and fixed the TDC so after putting the alternator back in we thought we would give it a start to see if it would start this time. Battery was dead so I charged it over night and put it back in and I still can't get any of the lights to come on in the dash when I turn the key, it's like everything is dead. After putting everything back together after replacing the head gasket, it wouldn't start, so I went for the timing belt, without thinking I was taking off the alternator but forgot to take out the battery and saw smoke rise from the clip connecting to the alternator when I went to unplug it. I personally want to say It's the alternator stopping it from showing any life in the car at all, but was told the battery should still light the dash and stuff regardless, and the battery was at full charge and is brand new so it can't be the battery just being dead.

Any suggestions?

 
Rep Power: 308

Inspect/test the large main fuses in the under hood fuse box.

 
Rep Power: 292

Definitely check fuses first before anything, if you cant find it, roll it to a nearby autoparts store to have alternator/starter checked out

 
Rep Power: 0

How would I go about testing those and properly inspecting them. Fuses always kinda confused me. If there is a thread that already has the know how, could you just link me to that, thx

 
Rep Power: 292

look through the little clear part in the middle of the fuse, if there is a piece of metal connected in the middle, then they are fine, if not, they are toasted

Big hints/indicators are black marks in the middle of fuse.

 
Rep Power: 0

So after checking the fuses, I saw that #80 labeled battery was clearly missing the middle piece, so I'll see about picking one up today and replacing it. I'll let you guys know..

 
Rep Power: 235

Or, to be 100% sure, check for continuity with a DMM (Digital Multi-Meter).

Or use a $3 test light to test both sides: Key ON(II), engine off. Leave the fuses in the fuse box. Look and there is a tiny little test point on top of each side of the fuse (very tiny piece of metal showing). Clip the test light to body ground (chassis) and touch the probe to each side of every fuse. If the fuse is good both sides will light up.